An information-based solution is proposed that will aid fire-fighters and other
emergency service personnel in their control of industrial accidents in Saudi Arabia.
The integration of databases and geographic information systems (GIS) through
dynamic data exchange (DDE) creates an informatics tool with more general
usability. Further, web enabled information exchange about hazardous materials is
interfaced with the proposed information system. The resulting 'Industrial Incidents
Administration System' (IIAS) is a paperless, user-centred, secure method for
information exchange able to preserve information between the Civil Defence and
Industrial Sectors in Saudi Arabia using state of the art electronic sources and
resources.
Three main needs were identified in the design phase of HAS: the information
architecture of the data repositories in a form that retains semantic and syntactic
values; a rapid-access database for planning decisions; and, an online transactional
database for frequent updating. In order to achieve the HAS, the following
technologies were exploited and integrated. Online data exchange through the use of
an Information Bus system architecture; a local database which contains five subsystems;
and the GIS application. Interoperability was an important feature of the proposed solution.
In order to better understand and satisfy user needs, the prototype system was implemented and evaluated. The purpose of this prototype was to receive feedback from users to understand their needs. The feedback received helped to improve, as
well as add, new functionalities to the HAS. In this study, we presented results and
experiences of conducting two well known evaluation techniques heuristic evaluation
and cognitive walk-through. The two methods employed complemented each other
very well, the first giving feedback from end-users needs, and the second revealing
deficiencies in usability in the system. The study provided convincing information for
improving the current version of HAS.

Description:

A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.